Monotonic and fatigue behavior of top-and-seat angle steel connections
Abstract
Steel beam-column connections play an important role in building structures. Incorporating the true behavior of beam-column connections in structural analysis and design can lead to a better prediction of structural performance and a more efficient way of using structural members and materials. The moment-rotation behavior and the fatigue durability of steel beam-column connections are explained in this study. The focus of the research program was dedicated to one type of steel beam-column connection, the top-and-seat angle steel connection. The research program included both an experimental and analytical evaluation of the top-and-seat angle connection elements. In the experimental program, three types of tests were conducted: monotonic tension tests of steel coupons to evaluate material properties; full-size top-and-seat angle steel connection tests to evaluate the moment-rotation characteristics of prototype connections; and extensive monotonic and fatigue tests of connection angles to examine the behavior of connection components. The feasibility of using the component tests to evaluate the structural behavior of complete top-and-seat angle steel connections was examined also. Finite element analyses of connections and connection components were conducted. The analysis was oriented toward determining three dimensional distributions of stress and strain. The stress and strain distributions were further analyzed, together with the application of fatigue theories for the multiaxial stress condition, to evaluate the fatigue life of top-and-seat angle steel connections. The analysis was also used to determine the connection moment-rotation relationships. The use of component testing and analysis to evaluate the structural behavior of a complete connection has been observed to be a feasible method for top-and-seat angle steel connections. The combined application of finite element analysis and multiaxial fatigue theories has led to reasonably accurate predictions of fatigue life of top-and-seat angle steel connections.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Bowman, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Civil engineering
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